The stick and ball sports have their All-Star games but, it is usually more of a social event instead of a hard fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each otherMore >>

The stick-and-ball sports have their All-Star games but they are usually more a social event than a hard-fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other with the winner leaving with at least a million dollars in their pocket.More >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy afterMore >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy after a late surge took him to the win Saturday night.More >>

Last week's white knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, South Carolina. DarlingtonMore >>

Last week's white-knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, SC.More >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstormMore >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstorm with one-eighth-inch hail that halted the event with 63 laps to go.More >>

The only thing that is predictable about Talladega is that it's unpredictable. You never know what to expect and the final lap is always one of the most exciting laps in all of NASCAR racing. Maybe theMore >>

The only thing that is predictable about Talladega is that it's unpredictable. You never know what to expect, and the final lap is always one of the most exciting laps in all of NASCAR racing.More >>

AUGUSTA, GA (RNN) -

Former Cup Series drivers moving over to the Nationwide Series has been a much debated topic over the last few years. Now with an influx of well-known Cup drivers, the competition level has greatly increased for Nationwide regulars.

Elliot Sadler, Brian Vickers, Regan Smith and point leader Sam Hornish have all competed on NASCAR's center stage. However, with only a handful of top rides available this season, they all have found a home in the Nationwide Series. But don't tell NNS Director Wayne Auton that these drivers have taken a step backwards.

"I don't look at it as moving back," said Auton on the former Cup regulars. "I look at it as drivers that really love motorsports."

In fact, Auton sees their presence in his series as a good thing for the No. 2 most popular auto racing series in the world.

"We are, I'm tickled to death to see them in there," continued Auton. "Where else can you go and run against the best to be able to make yourself better?"

As the NNS Series hits a two-week off period of the schedule, the competition level so far has taken a step upward, and Auton gives the credit to the Cup veterans.

"I think the on-track competition that we've seen has definitely proven that the NASCAR Nationwide Series is worthy of their standing in all of motorsports," observed Auton on his season at this point.

Not only have the veterans proven that they deserve top billing, but they have also sped up the younger driver development in the process.

"You can't say enough about the competition level that's there," continued Auton. "Then you throw in a bunch of young guns like Kyle Larson, Parker Kligerman and young drivers like that and it shows how competitive this series really is."

In all, the Nationwide Series is in a healthy position, and Auton is proud of the product that he sees on the track. As the teams take some time off, they will certainly have some time to improve their performance, which will only make the competition level greater when they return.

The stick and ball sports have their All-Star games but, it is usually more of a social event instead of a hard fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each otherMore >>

The stick-and-ball sports have their All-Star games but they are usually more a social event than a hard-fought competition. NASCAR's version places the past season's best teams against each other with the winner leaving with at least a million dollars in their pocket.More >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy afterMore >>

Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr. are but a few of the sports greats who have gone to victory lane in the Southern 500. Matt Kenseth can now add his name to that historic trophy after a late surge took him to the win Saturday night.More >>

Last week's white knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, South Carolina. DarlingtonMore >>

Last week's white-knuckle action at Talladega pitted driver against driver. This week it's a battle of another form as they try to defeat a "Track Too Tough to Tame" in Darlington, SC.More >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstormMore >>

Talladega Speedway has long been known for its exciting racing action. However, the fans at Sunday's Aaron's 499 Cup Series event experienced some additional excitement in another form as a large thunderstorm with one-eighth-inch hail that halted the event with 63 laps to go.More >>

The only thing that is predictable about Talladega is that it's unpredictable. You never know what to expect and the final lap is always one of the most exciting laps in all of NASCAR racing. Maybe theMore >>

The only thing that is predictable about Talladega is that it's unpredictable. You never know what to expect, and the final lap is always one of the most exciting laps in all of NASCAR racing.More >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads. The first portion of the event belongedMore >>

Richmond International Raceway has always been known as a place for action, but Saturday night's Toyota Owner's 400 had many Cup Series drivers shaking their heads.More >>

Growing up, Clint Bowyer cut his teeth driving the short track circuit of the Midwest. Now that he is a big time Sprint Cup driver, he is hoping that his short track experience puts him back in the winner'sMore >>

Growing up, Clint Bowyer cut his teeth driving the short track circuit of the Midwest. Now that he is a big time Sprint Cup driver, he is hoping that his short track experience puts him back in the winner's circle this week in Richmond.More >>

When Matt Kenseth made the unprecedented move from his long time home at Roush/Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, many expected him to remain a championship threat; just not this soon. Capturing his secondMore >>

When Matt Kenseth made the unprecedented move from his longtime home at Roush/Fenway Racing to Joe Gibbs Racing, many expected him to remain a championship threat; just not this soon.More >>

Richard Petty once told me that bad luck comes in cycles. He said that you just continue to work hard and one day it will turn back around your way. That seems to be the case for the resurgent Kyle BuschMore >>

Richard Petty once told me that bad luck comes in cycles. He said that you just continue to work hard and one day it will turn back around your way. That seems to be the case for the resurgent Kyle Busch as he heads to Kansas this weekend.More >>

IF YOU HAVE A STORY IDEA CONTACT WLBT/WDBD AT (601) 960-4426 OR EMAIL US AT News@WLBT.COM.